Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, says Russia is pressing ahead with offensive operations despite heavy losses, and urged urgent reinforcement of the country’s air defenses during a call with US Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Christopher Donahue. Syrskyi briefed Donahue on the frontline situation and Russia’s mass strikes on the energy sector, emphasizing the immediate need for additional air-defense systems and munitions.
“Despite significant losses in personnel, weapons and military equipment, the Russian aggressor is not abandoning offensive actions,” Syrskyi said. “At the same time, the enemy is resorting to massive missile and air strikes on our rear - deliberately hitting energy facilities and using freezing temperatures as an additional tool of pressure and terror against Ukraine’s civilian population.”
Ukraine recorded six large-scale missile-and-drone barrages across the country in December 2025 and early January 2026. On the night of January 13, Russia targeted energy, other infrastructure and civilian sites with 25 missiles and 293 attack drones, according to Syrskyi.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has launched more than 13,300 missiles and over 142,300 attack drones, he said.
“In this context, our top priority is to strengthen the air shield—obtaining surface-to-air missile systems and munitions, including those that could be provided by the American side,” Syrskyi noted. He also outlined other critical military needs that could be covered under the PURL initiative.
Earlier, Poland hosted the first high-level meeting of the NATO–Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Center (JATEC), the first joint NATO–Ukraine institution aimed at boosting the Defense Forces’ capabilities and accelerating Ukraine’s path to the Alliance.
